New Gripen F-39 Fighter Jet Set to Arrive from Sweden at the Port of Navegantes, Brazil

The Brazilian Air Force (FAB) is about to receive another F-39 Gripen fighter jet manufactured by Swedish company Saab. The aircraft is being shipped by sea aboard the cargo vessel MV Fagelgracht, which departed from the Port of Norrköping, Sweden, and is en route to Brazil. The journey is expected to take around 20 days, with arrival scheduled at the Port of Navegantes in Santa Catarina. The port was selected for its efficient logistics infrastructure and proximity to Ministro Victor Konder International Airport, which will facilitate the aircraft’s unloading and onward transport.

Once in Brazil, the fighter jet will be transferred to the Anápolis Air Base (Goiás), where it will be integrated into the 1st Air Defense Group (1º GDA), responsible for operating the FAB’s next-generation combat aircraft. With this delivery, Brazil will have 10 Gripen fighters, 9 at the 1º GDA and 1 at the Gripen Flight Test Center (GFTC).

A Strategic Partnership Between Saab and Brazil

The partnership between Saab and the Brazilian government began with a 2014 contract to deliver 36 Gripen aircraft to the FAB — 28 single-seat F-39E and 8 twin-seat F-39F models. Most of the production is in Brazil, with final assembly at Embraer’s facility in Gavião Peixoto, São Paulo state. The agreement also includes a technology transfer program, which has trained Brazilian engineers and technicians in producing advanced combat aircraft.

Deliveries and Production Timeline

According to the FAB’s schedule, two Gripen fighters are expected to be delivered in 2025, one of which is scheduled for completion and delivery by November. This new fighter will be the ninth aircraft delivered (excluding FAB4100, which is used for testing) and will receive the registration FAB4109. Air Force Commander Lieutenant-Brigadier Marcelo Kanitz Damasceno has confirmed that the first fully Brazil-made Gripen will be delivered by the end of this year.

Advancements and Local Integration

The Gripen F-39 is a key example of the successful technology transfer between Saab and Brazil. During Saab’s Press Trip in May 2024, observers noted that the first two F-model Gripens were already in production. The arrival of the new fighter is part of Brazil’s ongoing modernization of its Air Force, aimed at boosting national defense capabilities with cutting-edge technology.

Enhancing Brazil’s Air Defense

The arrival of another Gripen marks an important milestone in the FAB’s modernization efforts. With the gradual incorporation of these aircraft, the FAB is strengthening its air defense capabilities with a high-performance, multi-role jet capable of executing missions such as interception, air superiority, and territorial defense. The Gripen’s agility and operational performance make it a significant asset for Brazil’s military strategy.

A New Era for Brazil’s Air Force

The delivery of the Gripen jets marks the beginning of a broader transformation for the Brazilian Air Force. The integration of the F-39 Gripen not only enhances Brazil’s technological capacity but also fosters national autonomy in fighter jet production—a vital step toward reinforcing the country’s sovereignty and security.

Source: Araguaia

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